First a plush aquarium toy by Melissa and Doug. All parents who have researched toys are familiar with Melissa and Doug because they're renowned for the tactile learning that they facilitate. We have wooden blocks by them that are so wonderful. This aquarium is has plush fish and other creatures that are adorable, and they learn to put things in containers which is an important part of their development. This gift was accompanied by a great handwritten note saying: "PLAY: a gift of time with your child ... Memories are being made. Make more happy ones."

The second part is a book called "No Matter What" by Debi Gliori. We read a lot together, and this will make an excellent addition to our repertoire. It was wrapped with a similar note saying: "The Best Book! Read it often , with voices & silliness. Keep it. Remember. Revisit it. Cherish."

The third part of the gift is the most special. The note attached references our cherished hipster coffee culture here in Seattle, says that the package contains "espresso cups," and says that it was obtained by trading art with a Pacific NW artist. I can't tell you how cool I think it is that the gift was paid for with more art, but what could this possibly be? The espresso cups are these gorgeous "Day of the Dead" style ceramic cups. I think some people might keep these on the shelf as a work of art, but I can't do that. I guarantee that there will be lots of use gotten out of these cups.

To celebrate, I made the strongest espresso I could* and let my son have some. It took a couple tries, but I think he's now a fan will love drinking with us from now on.

*Due to the lack of espresso machine in the house, the strongest espresso I could make was just plain tap water. I'm not sure, but I believe that by hipster law, Seattle's tap water is spiked with caffeine, so that's just as good. I resisted temptation to spike it with brandy.

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The note attached to the aquarium

The note attached to the aquarium

The aquarium

The note attached to the book

The really adorable book

The note attached to the cups

These cups are gorgeous. Too gorgeous to just be sitting on the shelf. We're going to get lots of use out of these.